But some optimism for Roy Hodgson will be the fact England have only lost two of their opening games at World Cup finals.

They last defeat came back in 1986 with the Three Lions drawing six of their 13 curtain raisers to date.

Of course the last tournament opener in South Africa ended all-square against the United States, courtesy of a Rob Green clanger.

Check out some more famous first games below.

England 2-0 Chile (1950)

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A comfortable World Cup debut against the South Americans. Stan Mortensen put Walter Winterbottom’s team on their way and Wilf Mannion added a second. But the USA lay ominously in wait.....

A comfortable World Cup debut against the South Americans.

Stan Mortensen put Walter Winterbottom’s team on their way and Wilf Mannion added a second. But the USA lay ominously in wait.....

England 4-4 Belgium (1954)

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We led 3-1 with a quarter of the game to go, courtesy of two strikes from Ivor Broadis and another from Nat Lofthouse only for the Belgians to force extra-time. Lofthouse put England back in front, but Jimmy Dickinson put through his own net.

We led 3-1 with a quarter of the game to go, courtesy of two strikes from Ivor Broadis and another from Nat Lofthouse only for the Belgians to force extra-time.

Lofthouse put England back in front, but Jimmy Dickinson put through his own net.

England 2-2 Soviet Union (1958)

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England v Soviet Union -1958 World Cup Finals

More misery as England trailed by two after more than an hour. But Derek Kevan nodded in and a limping Tom Finney scored from the spot near the end.

England 1-2 Hungary (1962)

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The ‘’Mighty Magyars’’ proved too much for Winterbottom’s side. Ron Flowers levelled from the spot, but Florian Albert got the winner.

The ‘’Mighty Magyars’’ proved too much for Winterbottom’s side. Ron Flowers levelled from the spot, but Florian Albert got the winner.

England 0-0 Uruguay (1966)

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Not quite what Alf Ramsey expected. Starters Jimmy Greaves and John Connolly would lose out to Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

Not quite what Alf Ramsey expected. Starters Jimmy Greaves and John Connolly would lose out to Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

England 1-0 Romania (1970)

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England v Romania -1970 World Cup Finals

Four years on, Hurst was again the England hero with the only goal as the holders overcame the burning heat.

England 3-1 France (1982)

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England v France -1982 World Cup Finals

Twelve years of hurt ended as England took just 27 seconds before Bryan Robson rifled home, then headed Ron Greenwood’s team back in front, before Paul Mariner finished it.